Another week has simply flown by - spring will be here before you know it. Many birds are already pairing off or beginning to show off those beautiful breeding colours.
As reported last week, great crested grebes are displaying with plenty of head bobbing and some weed dances being witnessed. There's a pair visible from the Waltons screens (which are now all back open after undergoing repairs - thanks to volunteers Garry, Pete & Reg for getting it all turned round so quickly). Another pair of grebes can be seen over in Loxtons.
Many birds are becoming more vocal too - perhaps thinking about where they may wish to set up a territory this year. Songs from wren, blackbird, robin & great tit have all been heard in the tree lines while out in the reedbeds and open water little grebes are making themselves heard along with cettis warbler and water rail. In fact I saw one this morning as it ran across the Tor View Hide path in front of me. I was just second guessing myself ....was it? wasn't it? when I heard a very loud call from the side of the path (it sounds rather like a squealing pig if you don't know - which confirmed what I thought - it was indeed a water rail). One was also seen earlier in the week from the 3rd screen that looks out over the cut island. A few duck loaf here along with the odd lapwing but look out for snipe too.
Some of the grebes and duck are really beginning to show some nice colours but check out also birds such as cormorants. Some are now showing the white flecked head and white patch on its leg feathers which indicate a bird in breeding plumage. John Crispin has sent in a photo taken this week showing this - thanks John:
There are a lot of duck still on site - particularly in front of the 1st platform (VP1). Several hundred out there over the last couple of days including: shoveler, wigeon, teal, tufted duck, mallard & gadwall. There are also several pochard on site - a good number for us anyway with 22 being seen either in front of VP1 or just over in Waltons.
Also this morning from VP1 a great white egret showing was well and making the odd flight across as it searched for food, a grey heron sat feeding on the ditch edge nearby, a dunnock calling constantly from the bramble patch opposite and some noisy black headed gulls. During the week both buzzard and marsh harrier have been seen daily while a kestrel was spotted on monday morning (and on Thursday). The glossy ibis has also dropped in here a couple of times this week so worth scanning the whole area if you're there. Generally though it's still thought to be hanging out with the cattle egrets which have been feeding in local fields on most days but are still roosting on the reserve each night.
Both platforms could be good places to spot snipe - these two were disturbed by a grey heron during the week and captured on camera by John Crispin - thanks for sending these in John.
The 2nd platform (VP2) is slightly less busy but probably one of the best places to see marsh harriers (along with the Avalon Hide). This morning both Canada geese and greylag geese were present along with a selection of duck (including pintail which have been seen here sporadically over the last few weeks - seen on Sunday, Wednesday and Thursday this week). The glossy ibis was seen here on Wednesday and there's always a good chance of great white egret and occasionally little egret (which are actually seen less than their larger cousins).
Lapwings often play in here too but there are many now using the recently flooded area between the 2 platforms along with good numbers of teal and shoveler in particular. We have now put in some temporary viewing blinds for people to get a bit closer. Please feel free to pop along and use them but we ask you not to pass beyond the no entry barrier as we would like to keep disturbance to a minimum. These will only be open for a short time (until breeding season begins) and will then close until breeding season is over.
To get to them head towards the Avalon Hide but before you enter the wood turn left through the gate - you'll see the willow blinds up ahead of you. A barn owl was reported from these screens yesterday which is great. Then it's onwards to the Avalon Hide, which currently seems to accumulate the most Marsh Harrier and BIttern sightings. 3 of each reported there this morning by Graham Wagner who also sent in this shot of an Egyptian goose seen there on Sunday - thanks Graham:
3 marsh harriers seems to be a common theme for this week with this number reported several times. On one occasion there was a mature female, mature male and immature male - although a subtle colour change on the wings it had a well coloured grey tail - thanks to John Crispin for this insight.
Also from the Avalon Hide this week was a hen harrier (ringtail) seen on both Sunday and yesterday, a ring necked duck also seen yesterday but other reports of this bird from Shapwick more frequently, c30 snipe seen in flight, pintail, shoveler, pochard, kingfishers on several occasions and even the glossy ibis gave us a fly over.
A walk along the footpath by the main drain or along the old rail path (main track) can also be very rewarding. A host of species use this area frequently. Many common species such as blue tit, great tit, long tailed tit, goldfinch, chaffinch, blackbird & robin can help your bird list grow and with a bit more study and a bit of luck you can add several other species too.
Bullfinch seen on several occasions this week ( I had a lovely male on Monday between the car park and VP1) treecreepers too (learn the call to help you know they are present) - there were at least 2 between VP1 & VP2 this morning, chiffchaff has also been seen along with goldcrest, song thrush and great spotted woodpecker. Look out also for both lesser redpoll and siskin. Check out any large alders in which they like too feed - they are often seen down by Loxtons but this week some were seen on Sunday on the footpath side. John Crispin has sent in these shots. Thanks again John:
Lesser redpoll: John Crispin
Siskin: John Crispin
Also this week: reports of a large otter on our Long Drove plot on Wednesday, 4 ravens flying over reported on both Wednesday & Thursday, coal tit, collared dove, hose sparrow, pied wagtail and great spotted woodpecker all reported from the car park, a few roe deer seen around the edges of the reserve throughout the week, 2 cranes reported flying over on Wednesday, cettis warblers calling loudly on the reserve and several stonechats reported from different locations. This female photographed by John Crispin this week. Thank you John:
That's almost it for this week but there's one more piece of vital and very exciting news to give you. But Ham Wall needs your help:
“We are delighted to announce that we have been nominated for BBC Countryfile Magazine Awards 2018 as Nature Reserve of the Year – thank you to everyone who nominated us. We would really like Your Help and Your Vote to help us win.
Now in their seventh year, the BBC Countryfile Magazine Awards 2018 are a celebration of the British countryside and its people, from mighty landmarks and outstanding national parks to the best nature reserves and finest rural pubs. This year they invited their readers to send in suggestions before the expert panel then gathered to review all of the submissions, and whittle the nominees down to five in each category.
We are up against four other finalists in the Nature Reserve of the Year category and we need your vote to win the wooden plaque and accolade of being Nature Reserve of the Year 2018. Please vote here: http://bit.ly/2DqOvhN
Please note you can only vote once so tell as many of your friends, family, colleagues, etc. to vote for us also to help us win.”
Many thanks in advance - we really appreciate your support.
Have a great weekend everybody!